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Get a 650-750 cc bike. I know you think the 500cc aprilia prepped you. It prepped you for the characteristics of a real motorcycle, but not its actuality. Don't overdo displacement on your first 'real' motorcycle.
It will get up and go like nothing you have experienced, and 1000cc or more is just too much until you notch up more miles, and get some additional training under your belt.
What do you want to DO with the bike? Ok, and now what will you really do with the bike? For most people, those are 2 Very different things (Want to do 2-up LD travel, will really just be commuting back and forth to work). What do you like?
The 3 main segments outside of sport are dual-sport, standard and cruiser. Dual-sport and standard are considered neutral, like sitting in a dining room chair, feet just under to just infront of your butt, back perfectly straight and an easy reach to the bars. It's called "standard" for a reason, consider that as the top of the bell curve that has the cruiser at one end and the sportbike at the other (they just lean the rider different directions, and if sport won't work for your back, chances are that a cruiser won't either).
There's a little cross-over, like the Suzuki V-strom is 80% standard, 20% dual sport. You've seen something you like, say what it is and we can offer suggestions that are similar.
Not particularly. You need to figure out what type of bike you want, whether you'll be keeping the scooter, etc. Standard isn't really straight up, it's a slight lean. Maybe 15 degrees. Sportbikes usually have you leaned over about 40 degrees, especially at your (and my) height. Maybe if you're much taller (I think Brian is) you sit up closer to straight on a standard. Cruisers are usually straight up, feet out front. They're bad on your spine. I find them really uncomfortable for longer rides. Sport bikes ironically are pretty comfortable on the open road. Once you get up around 50-60 mph, there's enough lift from the air that you're not really having to put a ton of weight on your wrists, shoulders, and knees to hold you up. You've usually got pretty good wind protection with all the fairings and windscreens so you're not being blown off the back of the bike either. Standards are kind of in between.
i really like my suzuki intruder vs800. you can pick them up for $1500 to $3,00o with almost no miles on them. i got one with 1600 miles from a dealership for $2300.
its a shaft drive so no maintenance except yearly changing oil in shaft drive can get by every two years though iddeally one year. they are pretty bullet proof run without much maintenance. super light, its like sportbike weight i think 450 pounds, relatively low seat height.
A p.o.s. used Ninja 500...'Ninja' makes it sound like a crotch rocket but it's not. Flog it, lay it down, drop it etc. and then buy a nice bike..(Triumph)
I've had my motorcycle license for 2 years and I've had a 500cc Aprilia scooter since then.
I'm itching to get a regular motorcycle...
Any advise on what to get? I'm not exsactly a newbie anymore and anything with a smaller displacement than 500cc will probably bore me.
Other things to consider:
1. No crotch rockets (back)
2. Price under 10,000
3. Lightest bike possible.. I'm not very tall (5'9)
Advise (away)... thanks!
Any 600cc Honda or Suzuki Standard bike. Tons of cruisers to choose from but don't get some gigantic monstrosity if you like weaving through traffic and small spaces like on a scooter.
Thanks for all the tips.
Looking for no more than 800cc
Country riding.. No urban driving, very little highway..
Key is comfortable riding position, low seat height and light
I would look at Suzuki SV-650, Kawasaki Versys, Honda NCX or something similar. All in the 650 - 700 cc range and have a comfortable riding position.
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